Search

Abstract Background Physical literacy (PL) is a multi-dimensional concept that provides a holistic understanding of movement and physical activity. PL contains an affective, a physical, and a cognitive domain, which together lay the foundation for the individual’s capacity and the tendency for participating in physical activities currently and throughout life. PL is increasingly regarded as a ‘cause of the causes’ to health promotion. Cross-sectional studies have shown associations between children’s PL, physical activity behaviours, and well-being. This study aims to examine the associations between Danish children’s PL and their physical and psychosocial well-being and whether the associations are mediated by moderate- to vigorous intensity physical activity (MVPA). Methods Cross-sectional data from Danish schoolchildren aged 7–13 years were collected in Jan-Dec 2020 in the Danish Assessment of Physical Literacy (DAPL) project. PL was assessed with the DAPL which measures the affective, cognitive, and physical domains of PL. MVPA (min/day) was measured with accelerometers (Axivity), psychosocial well-being was measured with The Strengths and Difficulties Questionnaire, and physical well-being was measured with the KIDSCREEN questionnaire. Structural equation models were constructed with PL and MVPA as predictors of physical well-being and four aspects of psychosocial well-being. Results A positive moderate association between PL and physical well-being, partly mediated by MVPA was observed. PL was positively associated with the positive aspects of psychosocial well-being and negatively associated with the negative aspects (behaviour problems). None of the associations between PL and aspects of psychosocial well-being were mediated by MVPA. Conclusions The study contributes to evidence on the link between PL, physical activity, and health outcomes. The study found beneficial relations between PL and physical and psychosocial well-being. MVPA mediated part of the relationship between PL and physical well-being but not psychosocial well-being.

BackgroundAdolescence is a significant period in one's development of positive emotional and social wellbeing. Physical literacy (PL) is considered a determinant of physical health and wellbeing and is thought to be the foundation for an individual's engagement in physical activities. Yet, limited evidence exists on PL's association with adolescents' health and physical activity behavior. This study aims to (1) explore the associations between Danish adolescents' PL and their emotional and social wellbeing, (2) examine whether these associations are mediated by sport and exercise participation (SEP), and (3) consider if the associations differ across sex.MethodsCross-sectional data from a national population survey were collected in 2020. The sample consisted of 1,518 Danish adolescents aged 13–15 years. PL was assessed with the validated MyPL questionnaire. The weekly time engaged in sports and exercise was self-reported. Self-esteem, life satisfaction, body satisfaction, and loneliness were measured with items from the standardized HBSC questionnaire, and a wellbeing composite score was calculated from these four measures. We constructed structural equation models with PL and sports and exercise participation as independent variables and the five aspects of wellbeing as dependent variables.ResultsPositive associations were observed between PL and SEP (β = 0.33, p < 0.001) and between PL and the five aspects of wellbeing with β-values between 0.19 and 0.30 (p < 0.001). These associations were greater among girls. The association between PL and four of the five wellbeing outcomes were partly mediated by SEP with indirect effects (β) between 0.03 and 0.05.ConclusionsResults from this study support the hypotheses that PL is important for children and adolescents' wellbeing and physical activity behavior.